Google+ sees an update in the Market

If there was any doubt Google was taking Google+ seriously, let's put those fears to rest right now. Not only did their android app for Google+ come out in the Market only a few days ago, it's already seeing its first update to improve it even more.

The changelog is pretty scant, but multiple Gmail accounts was something plaguing folks from the start, and UI polish is always welcomed. Good job, Google. Now, invites for everyone!

Cut the Rope now available ad-free in the Android Market (Update: And, Amazon, too)

Ready for a new addiction? Cut the Rope has hit the Android market holding a price tag of just a mere 99 cents, and is sure to bring hours and hours of entertainment to your life. Last week Cut the Rope was available for Android devices via GetJar, and was an ad-supported version, but today a paid version has hit the Android market without any ads. So, without any further delay, hit the break for download links, and get to playing!

Flight Track's Honeycomb tablet update now available in the Android Market

We got our first look at Flight Track's Honeycomb tablet update back at Google IO in May. Today, that update's available in the Android Market, and one of our favorite Android travel apps get even better. You've got the same look and feel in the $4.99 app, which has expanded for larger screens, making the mapping features that much better. Tripit support is still there, too, with a $4.99 upgrade. Check out our video and find download links after the break.

Android Quick App: GasBuddy - Find Cheap Gas

Gasbuddy is one of many gas station price trackers on the Market, but consistently has the best prices of all the apps I check.

GasBuddy works like most of the other price-finding apps out there. Either enter a zip code of where you want to find gas or choose "Find Gas Near Me." From there, GasBuddy will give you a list of gas stations and their associated gas prices. By default, the stations are listed closest to furthest, but you can also sort them by price.

From the tabs at the top of the page, you can cycle through the prices for regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel. You can also move off of the list view and switch to map view, which puts the logos of the stations on a Google Map with the price of gas below the logo.

GasBuddy manages to always have the most up-to-date gas prices by giving away points to registered members for updating gas prices when they're at the station. For every 1000 points you earn, you can enter yourself in a drawing for a $250 gas card. As a result, most of your results won't be more than a few hours hold when you check the stations around you.

The settings menu is rather bare, because there's not much in ways of customizing GasBuddy. On the settings menu you've got options to choose your default fuel grade, distance (miles or kilometers), showing all stations or just those with updated prices, and setting the default screen the app opens up to (home or stations near me).

If you're into saving money (and who isn't?), GasBuddy is an essential app for your phone. Even if you rarely use it, you'll be glad to have it when the tank is nearing the dreaded E. GasBuddy is a free app that seems to occasionally pop up an ad, but honestly, I haven't seen an ad until I decided to review the app right now. Even then, I'll take a rarely seen (and easily avoidable) ad if it means saving at the pump.

Google toeing the photo-sharing waters with Pool Party

Google has been rolling out an array of new services this week, most recently being their social effort, called Google+. Now it is rumored that they've been developing a photo sharing service named Pool Party.

Android has long lacked a photo sharing app that has been able to grab the masses like Instagram does on iOS. Lightbox is the most recent app to come around and is the one most likely to fill that void. However, if these rumors about Pool Party are correct, a photo sharing app from Google will likely have incredible traction.

Here is what is known about Pool Party thus far:

It is being developed within Google by the Slide team

The developers are giving a strong emphasis to group albums or 'pools' that display photos in real-time

It is currently in beta mode and is invite-only

It is listed both in the Android Market and in the iOS App Store

While it is available in the Market and will download to your device, you won't be able to sign up without an email "approved" by the developers; that is, have an invitation from someone who is already a user.

Much is still unknown about Pool Party, but the concept of a photo sharing app developed by Google is extremely intriguing and one that I would love to try out. The link to the app after the break. But unless you're in on the beta, you'll be left high and dry.

Droid 2 Global to get Gingerbread after Droid 3 launches

Perhaps you just saw our rundown of the Verizon Motorola Droid 3 specs. Did you catch the Easter egg? According to our leak, it appears that the Motorola Droid 2 Global (and presumably its CDMA-only cousin) -- which has seen its Gingerbread update apparently delayed -- will finally get Android 2.3after the launch of the Droid 3.

That's a tad interesting given that Verizon first appeared to have the update ready to go, and then Motorola came back a few days later, saying things were on hold. Makes you wonder a little about who's calling the shots there. Also makes you wonder about the accuracy of the rumors that any Droid 2 update has been held back for more bugfixing. It makes sense that you'd want to launch the new hotness Droid 3 first, with the better hardware and newer OS, to better differentiate it from the old and busted Droid 2.

So what's that mean for the rumored launch dates for the Droid 3? You know these launch dates go -- any window bigger than a month is likely to be slammed on your fingers, and the Droid 3 hasn't yet been publicly announced by Verizon. But if we had to bet at this point, we'll likely see the Droid 3 sooner rather than later, lest Verizon and Motorola feel the wrath of those whose phones have been left behind.

Verizon Droid 3 specs revealed, show a 4-inch Gingerbread world phone

Hey, look at that. It's the Verizon Droid 3 specs -- and lined up next to the Droid 2 and Droid X2 for good measure. Let's just give 'em the full rundown.

The Droid 3 looks like it'll launch with Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The screen resolution has already been all but confirmed at qHD resolution (that's 540x960), and it's repeated here as well, with a 4-inch diagonal screen size.

It's got dual cameras, of course, with the rear shooter (really, the only one we care about) running 8 megapixels, capable of recording 1080p video. And it's got an LED flash, of course.

Memory's a mixed bag, it appears. The Droid 3 will have 16GB of internal storage, which is mighty generous. But in return for that generosity, someone's skimped on the microSD card, leaving it out completely.

Working our way down the list: Other items of note are the slide-out five-row keyboard, which will be supplemented by Swype. Adobe Flash and DLNA support are there as well, as is the usual VCAST service, and Blockbuster video (downloadable over Wifi only).

So that's it. All in all, nothing we weren't expecting, especially since the Milestone 3 (aka the non-U.S. verison) is already out there. Along with some hardware refinements, not a very big departure from the Droid 2, at least as the overall look and feel go. But why mess with a good thing, right?

Droid 3 accessories leaked in inventory list

While you're waiting for official word about the Motorola Droid 3, and tired of looking longingly at the Motorola Milestone 3, you can start thinking about what accessories you'll be picking up. This leaked list from Verizon includes the inductive charging battery door, a 1930mAh extended battery, and a pair of docks -- one for multimedia and one for your car.

Nothing we can do to hurry it to market, (July 13 anyone?) but it's nice to see that some accessories should be available, hopefully on day one.

EVO 3D jealousy, multiple SMS issues [From the Forums]

It's still only Thursday but for those of you in Canada it happens to be a long weekend thanks to Canada day -- so that said, hope you all have a great weekend. For those of you not in Canada, it's just one more day and the weekend will be here. To help pass the time jump into the Android Central forums:

HTC Sensation arriving at retail locations across Canada

Been waiting for an HTC Sensation to arrive in Canada? Today just might be your day to get your hands on one. After having called local Bell and Virgin mobile locations I can confirm that most stores (At least, in my area) have now received their inventory. With the device not set to officially launch until July 5, you might want to try and score one a little early. Let us know if you do -- I tried but was advised I would have to take one under contract, not outright purchase it.

Path now in beta on Android

The developers for the popular iOS app Path have finally launched an Android version. The personal media sharing app is free in the Android Market. It is currently in public beta, so I would expect to see a lot of updates as new features and bug fixes are rolled out.

The features of the app include:

Capture and share life's moments through photos.

Stay connected to a small group of 50 close friends & family via Android, iPhone, Email, Web, or Facebook.

Tag your moments with people, places, and things.

View your friends' moments.

Know when your friends have seen your moments.

Let your friends know how each moment makes you feel with Emotion.

Have intimate conversations around each moment with Chat.

Publish the occasional moment on your Facebook Wall for all of your Facebook friends to see.

It's great to see another hugely popular iOS app make it over to Android. Please find links to the app after the break.

EVO 3D rooted, instructions still under wraps

In what will forever be known as the Great Tease of June 30, 2011, the twitters are going a little nuts this afternoon of the apparent rooting of the HTC EVO 3D. See that there? That's the file directory of a rooted EVO 3D. And currently that's as close as you can get to it.

Don't get us wrong, we're excited, too. We're fully expecting a full root method to be released any time now. And the sooner the better. But until then, keep on staring at the picture.

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